Santhosh Chandran
DOHA
It is the fluttering of the flags of countries participating in the FIFA World Cup 2022 that welcomes visitors to Labour City, also known as Asian Town. Colourful flags adorn shops and commercial complexes in the area, which is home to more than 50,000 blue-collar workers -- the Labour City is all set to welcome the World Cup 2022.
Most of the companies have provided their workers with big television sets so that they can watch the World Cup matches in the comfort of their residences, if they are unable to watch the game at the stadiums due to various reasons.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, a foreman at a construction company said, “Our company management even has offered vacation during FIFA World Cup days, but most of us have decided to stay in Qatar to experience the matches. Our company was involved in many FIFA projects including the construction of stadiums and roads. We consider the World Cup in Qatar as our own, and wish to enjoy the game here itself.”
The workers who meet every day at Asian Towns’ cinema halls, restaurants and lawns have already formed their own unofficial fan clubs in line with the spirit of the event. Brazil, Argentina and Qatar teams have strong fan groups here.
“Our dream of watching the World Cup matches in Qatar is now a reality. It is a life-time achievement and we don’t want to miss it,” a worker from Asia, who has a Hayya Card and World Cup ticket, told Qatar Tribune.
The shops at the commercial complex in Asian Town are also happy as they are getting good business now. “Most of the workers in Asian Town are free of their daily schedule of work now. So, they are spending a lot of time at the commercial complexes and restaurants. FIFA World Cup has made commercial complex more crowded, offering good business,” a sales manager at a hypermarket in Asian Town said.
Asian Town will indeed be one of the most crowded areas during the Qatar WC days.
